InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Infatuation ❯ Blow Out the Candles, Pt 3 ( Chapter 21 )

 

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Infatuation

By Lizzie Welling

Rated M/R for strong language and violence

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AU InuYasha fanfiction

 

Disclaimer: Don't own InuYasha. Never have, never will. All other quoted songs, excerpts, etc. are cited and attributed to their respective owners.

 

A/N: See, I told you this would be up on Sunday!

 

The time/place notes are sporadic. Enough to give you a general idea of when something is happening.

 

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Recap:

 

Naraku pulled the two halves of the Shikon no Tama from each pocket. He held them before him, closing his eyes and concentrating to fuse Kagome's half with his. The jewel glowed a dark purple as the two halves became one.

 

“Soon, I shall have the miko's soul and she shall become my puppet,” Naraku laughed darkly. “She shall destroy the world and rebuild it according to my vision.”

 

He closed his eyes, holding the Shikon high above his head.

 

“Now!” he cried.

 

Kagura threw the switch, watching in veiled horror as a huge surge of volts flew to the metal tub, electrifying the miko so horrifically her body arched against its own ability. The green concoction began to fill the tub, covering the miko inch by inch.

 

The circle began to chant in an archaic Japanese tongue. Dark magic swirled in the air around the group, slowly constricting around the miko.

 

All Kagura could think as she watched the events fall into place was, `Oh dear kami! What are we unleashing?'

 

 

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Chapter 21: Blow Out the Candles (Pt. 3)

 

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It was exceptionally bright.

 

Kagome struggled to open her eyes. After hours upon hours in that dark and dank motel room, the brilliant light of this new place hurt. Once her eyes had adjusted, she glanced around the room.

 

“No freaking way,” she whispered in disbelief.

 

She was in her bedroom. Not the lavish one at the Taisho estate, but the one from her childhood, complete with everything from the frilly pink decor down to the stuffed animals piled on her bed and the picture frames full of pictures of her family on her nightstand. Nothing was out of place, broken or destroyed like she last remembered seeing it those five years ago.

 

Kagome realized she was sitting on the edge of her old bed, and grabbed fistfuls of the comforter.

 

`This really feels like my old cotton bedspread...'

 

“This is surreal,” she muttered.

 

“I know.”

 

Kagome snapped her head up, eyes widening with incredulity. Before her stood a slender middle-aged woman, dressed in soft white pants and a matching shirt. She had short dark hair and facial features that resembled her own.

 

“Mama?” she whispered. “Is that really you?”

 

“It is, sweetheart. I'm here.”

 

Kagome cried out, throwing herself into her mother's arms. They sunk together to the plush carpet, laughing and crying happily. Kagome suddenly pulled back, looking seriously at her mother.

 

“Kami, am I dead?”

 

Mrs. Higurashi shook her head. “Not yet, sweetheart. It's not your time. That's why you need to fight it.”

 

“Fight what exactly?” Kagome looked perplexed.

 

“What is the last thing you remember?” her mother asked gently.

 

`Having the ever-living crap beat out of me,' Kagome answered silently. But that wasn't something she wanted to share with her mother, a mother she hadn't seen or spoken to in five years.

 

“I was being held captive...” she trailed off.

 

Mrs. Higurashi sighed. “I could see some of the things they did to you, sweetheart.”

 

Kagome bowed her head.

 

“You were very brave. You put up a good fight. But your fight's not over yet.”

 

Kagome looked questioningly up at her mother.

 

“As we speak now, Naraku is performing a ritual murder and removing your soul to trap in that tainted jewel.”

 

Kagome looked surprised. “You know about all that?”

 

Mrs. Higurashi laughed. “Don't look so surprised. We who have passed on tend to keep tabs on our loved ones who number as still among the living.”

 

“So you know about Souta,” Kagome sighed. “Mama, I'm so--”

 

“Don't you dare go apologizing for something that was not your fault,” Mrs. Higurashi interrupted sharply. “That Hiten will get his comeuppance at his Judgment. If that young man of yours doesn't give it to him first.”

 

“Mama!” Kagome squeaked. “Just exactly how much have you seen?”

 

“Enough to know you're in love, and that he loves you too.”

 

Kagome's cheeks pinked.

 

“And that you have a fine group of friends, too. A good family.”

 

Kagome smiled, reaching out to hug her mother. “But they'll never replace you or Papa.”

 

“No, they won't,” Mrs. Higurashi smiled gently, the same smile that her daughter had inherited. “But they've made new places in your lives. And I'm glad you have them.”

 

Kagome nodded. “But what about Naraku? He's...He's trying to kill me know?”

 

“Hai, I'm afraid so, sweetheart,” her mother sighed. “You're currently deeply unconscious due to all the pain. Ooo, if I could get my hands on that evil man I'd--”

 

“Down, Mama!” Kagome laughed. “I'm sure he'd run screaming at the sight of you! A mother hen on a mission is a scary sight! I remember too well how you verbally tore into that kid who was bullying Souta when he was six. That kid ran away screaming, and never said another word to Souta!”

 

“Well, the little brat deserved it,” Mrs. Higurashi muttered demurely. “No one messes with my babies!”

 

“I know, Mama. I know,” Kagome sighed, hugging her again.

 

“Just because I'm not physically there, doesn't mean I can't do something to help. That's why I'm here now,” she said seriously, pulling back from Kagome to straighten up. “I'm acting as the liaison from the beyond. And from those miko before you who carried the same burden you now share. I'm here to tell you about your connection with the Shikon. To give you some ability to fight back and restore balance to your world.”

 

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1500 hours, alleyway in Tokyo

 

Everyone was in place, in an alley a few blocks from Onigumo Industries. Rin had discovered, by cross referencing city schematics with the company's encrypted building plans, a manhole that connected indirectly with one of the company's steam tunnels.

 

The plan was to send two through the tunnels—Rin and Ayame (as the smallest they could maneuver better); two through the front door—as a diversion, Kouga and Sango were to handle that; and two were going in overhead (InuYasha and Sesshomaru) and directly to the lab.

 

InuYasha glanced over to his brother and snorted at the irritated look upon his normally stoic face.

 

Rin was speaking to him in low, irritated tones, obviously explaining why she had to be part of the team that infiltrated Onigumo Industries. It was damn funny to see his brother worried about the safety and well-being of another being, much less a tiny ningen woman.

 

`I think the Asshole's in love,' InuYasha mentally snickered.

 

“Are you ready?” Sango asked.

 

Once the information regarding Naraku's current plans for Kagome had sunk in, the Slayer had forced herself to compartmentalize her shock and put on her game face. She had refused all suggestions to return to HQ and insisted on being apart of the rescue mission.

 

InuYasha turned to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We're gonna get Kagome back, Sango. I won't let that bastard have her.”

 

Sango nodded distractedly, but forced a small smile. She turned and went to triple check the equipment with Ayame and Kouga. Ayame slipped a comforting arm around Sango's shoulder and gave her a quick squeeze.

 

“InuYasha, please tell your pig-headed brother that I am NOT incompetent and can perfectly well handle this mission!” Rin begged, latching on to his arm and glaring at Sesshomaru.

 

InuYasha rolled his eyes. “He doesn't think you're unable, the Asshole just doesn't want you to get hurt.”

 

Rin's expression softened, and then she dropped his arm and threw herself at the taiyoukai. “You idiot! Why didn't you just say that?”

 

Sesshomaru threw a glare at InuYasha. The inu-hanyou just laughed.

 

“So are we ready to get this started?” Ayame asked, palming one of her knives. “That bastard Naraku is getting the beat-down of his life.”

 

“I'll be personally ripping him to pieces,” InuYasha growled.

 

“And I'll tear him a new butt hole!” Rin cried.

 

Everyone stared at her in shocked silence.

 

“What?” she asked innocently.

 

Sesshomaru placed a clawed hand on her small shoulder. “Let us begin.”

 

They split into their respective teams, InuYasha removing the manhole cover while Sesshomaru lowered Rin and Ayame inside with their backpacks of electronic equipment.

 

Once Rin gave the thumbs-up, the cover was replaced.

 

InuYasha began to crawl the building's fire escape while Sesshomaru ascended on his youki cloud. Sango and Kouga disappeared down the alley.

 

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“My connection with the Shikon?” Kagome inquired, a perplexed look upon her face. “What the hel--” at a sharp look from her mother she amended, “I mean heck? I know the stupid thing was inside me, but I don't know how it got there or how it got out, not really. All I know is that it can grant wishes, was made from Midoriko's heart and that Naraku's going to use it to take over the world.”

 

Mrs. Higurashi sighed. “That's what I was afraid of. But sweetheart, the Shikon is apart of you. You were born with it, and it was only removed forcibly, not given up. So it's still yours to control.”

 

“Then how is Naraku able to use those shards?”

 

“I said it was yours, not that other people can't use it, make it work for them. However evil he may be, Naraku does have some actual power of his own, and a strong will. But you have greater power over the Shikon than he ever will, simply because it is a part of you.”

 

“Huh,” Kagome said, stumped. “Well if that isn't the most fu--,” she shot a panicked look at her mother, “—screwed up thing I've ever heard.”

 

“Undoubtedly,” Mrs. Higurashi said with a frown. “Honestly, Kagome, I hadn't realized your use of language had become so...foul.”

 

Kagome reddened, smiling sheepishly. “Gomen-nasi, Mama.”

 

“I hope you haven't been teaching such things to your little brother.”

 

“No!” Kagome laughed nervously. “He knows better.”

 

“You know better,” her mother said pointedly.

 

“Yeah, well, stuff happens when you are forced to become an adult at 15.”

 

“Oh, Mama!” Kagome hugged her mother at Mrs. Higurashi's forlorn look. “I didn't mean it was your fault! That centipede youkai murdered you!”

 

“I know, sweetheart, I know,” she said softly, patting her daughter's hand. “But it still doesn't make me hurt for what happened to you and Souta as a result, that you had to grow up so quickly.”

 

“It wasn't all bad, Mama,” Kagome replied, assuring her. “We did okay.”

 

“Yes you did,” her mother smiled, cupping her daughter's face with both hands and kissing her on the forehead. “I'm so proud of my baby.”

 

Kagome smiled back, feeling the tears well up.

 

“That's why this is all so important, Kagome,” Mrs. Higurashi said seriously.

 

“But how, Mama? How do I make the Shikon work? How do I control it?”

 

Her mother smiled gently. “I can't tell you that. It's something you have to realize that you just can.”

 

“Gee, that helps,” Kagome muttered sarcastically.

 

“Now don't sass your mother,” Mrs. Higurashi scolded playfully.

 

“Ha-ha.” Kagome glanced around the room, as if she suddenly remembered to look for something. “Why isn't Papa here?”

 

“It wasn't his mission,” she smiled gently. “While it's true that the Higurashi family has a long line of monks and miko, you got the Shikon from me. Apparently, my line traces back to Midoriko.”

 

“Huh,” Kagome said, stumped. “Well, that little helpful tidbit wasn't in the family tree.”

 

“You're telling me,” her mother giggled. Then her face grew serious again. “But it is your burden, one I'm sorry you have to bear. The Shikon no Tama is yours to control and protect.”

 

“Hai, I understand, Mama.”

 

“Not fully, but you will. There's a great deal ahead of you, sweetheart. But as long as you stay as you are, and have the help of those who love you, you'll pull through. I know it.”

 

Mrs. Higurashi reached out to embrace her daughter, very tightly, then stood up and stepped back.

 

“Mama?” Kagome asked in a panicked voice.

 

“It's time for me to go now, sweetheart. It's time for you to wake up.” She began to glow, like incandescent light.

 

“Mama!” Kagome reached for her, only to watch her hand go through her.

 

“It's okay, my darling baby girl. You have a full life ahead of you. I'll always be watching. How else am I going to see grandchildren with cute dog-ears?”

 

“Mama!” Kagome squeaked in embarrassment and horror.

 

“Go wake up now, sweetheart. Wake up, and reclaim what's yours.”

 

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1600 hours, Onigumo Industries Underground Lab

 

Kagura looked in shock at the monitor. `How is that possible? Her heart rate is increasing! She was nearly dead a few minutes ago!'

 

Kagura looked over toward the dark circle, her eyes resting on Naraku and the jewel. She opened her mouth to alert him to the change, but thought better of it.

 

`If the little miko can pull through this, maybe things can turn around.'

 

Just then, an explosion sounded from upstairs, shaking the whole building.

 

Their chanting was interrupted.

 

“Go you morons! Find out what that was!” Naraku shouted at Hiten, Bankotsu and Jakotsu.

 

Just as Bankotsu moved to open the door, the door was blasted off its hinges and knocked all three of them to the floor.

 

In stepped InuYasha, followed by Sesshomaru, Rin and Ayame.

 

“Remember me, you fucking bastards?” InuYasha growled.

 

Bankotsu instantly lunged at InuYasha, and the fighting began. Sesshomaru engaged Jakotsu, while Ayame and Rin took on Hiten.

 

“Keep chanting!” Naraku bellowed at the remaining circle.

 

No one, aside from Kagura, noticed Kagome arch in the metal tub and open her eyes.

 

 

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Special thank you to all my awesome reviewers: TakaRaiIshikawa, psyco_chick32, yashkags4eva, DesMM, bearsammi2011,

Beautifulyreal, Yankeeluvr, Zemire, fire-Angel-of-death322, PrincessJaded, Koigokoro_inu_kag, jin, and BoredGirl17.

 

Please check your messages for review replies. For those of you I couldn't reach:

 

psyco_chick32: Lol, as you probably have read by now, InuYasha is the definition of pissed. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Jin: Thanks for reviewing! Hope this chapter satisfied you.

 

See, things are starting to move along! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had to stop where I did, because the fight is a whole entity onto itself. So look for a massive chapter in a few weeks. I've got final exams this week, then off to visit the family for the holidays, so I'm hoping for a post around the new year. We'll see.

 

Thanks for reading!

Lizzie